Religious identity is shifting worldwide. Many adults leave the faith they were raised in. Christianity and Buddhism face significant losses. More people now identify as unaffiliated. Surveys across 36 countries reveal changing religious landscapes.
Rates of religious switching differ worldwide. Some countries see minimal change. In India, Israel, Nigeria, and Thailand, 95% stay in their childhood religion, as per Pew Research Centre.
Religious shifts are common in East Asia, Western Europe, North America, and South America. In South Korea, 50% have changed faiths. The Netherlands reports 36% switching, the U.S. 28%, and Brazil 21%.
RISE OF THE UNAFFILIATED
Most switchers do not join another religion. Instead, they become religiously unaffiliated. They identify as atheists, agnostics, or say they follow “nothing in particular.”
Many who leave were raised as Christians. In Sweden, 29% were raised Christian but now have no religious affiliation. Buddhism is also losing members. In Japan, 23% were raised Buddhist but now identify as unaffiliated. South Korea reports 13% leaving Buddhism.
A FEW MOVE TOWARD RELIGION
Religious switching is not always about leaving. Some move in the opposite direction. In South Korea, 9% were raised unaffiliated but now follow a religion. Most became Christian.
Singapore, South Africa, and South Korea report 10% or more switching between two religions. However, gains in religious affiliation are small compared to losses.
CHRISTIANITY FACES THE GREATEST LOSSES
Christianity has the highest ratio of leavers to joiners. In Germany, for every new Christian, nearly 20 leave. The Netherlands and Sweden show similar trends.
In Singapore, Christianity sees some gains. For every Christian leaving, three join. In Nigeria, Christianity has a balanced inflow and outflow.
BUDDHISM ALSO FACES DECLINE
Buddhism experiences large losses, especially in Japan, Singapore, and South Korea. In Japan, for every Buddhist convert, nearly 12 people leave the faith.
THE UNAFFILIATED CATEGORY GROWS RAPIDLY
The religiously unaffiliated gain the most from switching. In Italy, for every unaffiliated person who adopts a religion, 29 leave faith behind.
Hungary is an exception. Here, for every person becoming unaffiliated, nearly two gain a religious identity, mostly Christianity.
AGE AND RELIGIOUS SWITCHING
Religious switching occurs at all ages. Younger adults are often more likely to leave faith than older generations.
In Spain, 48% of young adults have changed religion, compared to 36% of those over 50. In Colombia, the gap is even wider. Young people leave Christianity at higher rates than older adults.
Some older adults may have left religion when young and later returned. However, trends suggest secularization in many countries.
EDUCATION AND FAITH SHIFTS
Higher education sometimes correlates with religious switching. In 12 of 36 surveyed countries, educated individuals change religions more frequently.
The Netherlands shows the biggest education gap. Among highly educated Dutch citizens, 42% have switched religions, compared to 29% of those with less education.
GENDER DIFFERENCES IN RELIGIOUS SWITCHING
Men and women switch religions at similar rates in most countries. In South Korea, 51% of women and 50% of men have changed religion.
However, men are more likely to switch in six surveyed countries. Most religious switching, regardless of gender, results in disaffiliation.
KEY FINDINGS ON RELIGIOUS SWITCHING
- Christianity sees the highest losses, except in a few regions like Singapore.
- Buddhism is shrinking in countries like Japan and South Korea.
- Islam remains stable, with minimal switching worldwide.
- Judaism retains high adherence in Israel and the U.S.
- Hinduism sees almost no switching in India and Bangladesh.
WHAT THESE TRENDS MEAN
Religious switching is reshaping global faith. Christianity and Buddhism face significant losses. The unaffiliated category is growing fast.
These trends suggest shifting societal values, greater secularization, and evolving beliefs. As religious landscapes change, future generations may redefine spirituality.
